EQUIVOCAL • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Equivocal

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/ɪkwˈɪvəkəl/ Listen

adjective

Equivocal adj.

1.

(Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence. "For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes."

2.

Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal. "Equivocal repentances."

3.

Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. "How equivocal a test."

Equivocal chord (Mus.), a chord which can be resolved into several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the diminished seventh.

Synonyms: Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate. Equivocal, Ambiguous. We call an expression ambiguous when it has one general meaning, and yet contains certain words which may be taken in two different senses; or certain clauses which can be so connected with other clauses as to divide the mind between different views of part of the meaning intended. We call an expression equivocal when, taken as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect clearness and propriety, and also another thought with equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to Croesus when consulting about a war with Persia: "If you cross the Halys, you will destroy a great empire." This he applied to the Persian empire, which lay beyond that river, and, having crossed, destroyed his own empire in the conflict. What is ambiguous is a mere blunder of language; what is equivocal is usually intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from mere inadvertence. Equivocation is applied only to cases where there is a design to deceive.

noun

Equivocal n. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. "In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found."

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Etymology of 'Equivocal'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Equivocal" Quotes from Famous Books

... and elaborate, and—equivocal. In it you remind me, menacingly, of the possibilities of progress, you posit that love is at best artificial, and you apotheosise the brain. As an emancipated rationality, you say you cut yourself loose from the convention of ...

— The Kempton-Wace Letters • Jack London

... in later Spanish history, and it resulted in cumbrous ineffectiveness. Interminable inquiry and discussion ended frequently only in suspension of judgment or a divided report. Points of policy of imminent importance had to await a dilatory investigation and equivocal conclusions. This impotence of the central organs of government did not come in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella and their immediate successors, and the growing inefficiency of the councils was long overcome by the resolution of the monarchs. Nevertheless the system was part of the price ...

— European Background Of American History - (Vol. I of The American Nation: A History) • Edward Potts Cheyney

... attention of Tallien, the son of the Marquis of Bercy's butler and ci-devant lawyer's clerk, who had blossomed into "a Terrorist of the first water." He obtained her release and she became his mistress. She took advantage of the equivocal but influential position which she had attained to engage in a vile traffic. She and her paramour amassed a huge fortune by accepting money from the unfortunate prisoners who were threatened with the fate which she had so narrowly ...

— Political and Literary essays, 1908-1913 • Evelyn Baring

... equivocal form of expression, that flagellation was threatened, Taddy obeyed, still feeling ...

— The Wit and Humor of America, Volume IV. (of X.) • Various

... of Michigan. Mr. Tilden was not an orator, and did not follow the example of Mr. Seymour or Mr. Greeley in going before the people, but skillfully and quietly directed all the movements of the canvass. In spite of his personal fidelity to hard money, the equivocal position of his party was used against him with great effect. The fact that the Republicans had passed the Resumption measure, and that the Democrats had demanded the repeal of its most important feature, made a clear and sharp issue, and the pronounced record of Mr. Hayes as the leader ...

— Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 (of 2) • James Gillespie Blaine

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